Government OPT Jobs in Missouri
F-1 OPT government jobs in Missouri are concentrated around Jefferson City, Kansas City, and St. Louis, where federal agencies, state departments, and public universities actively hire international students. Employers like the Missouri Department of Conservation, federal contractors, and research institutions at Washington University and the University of Missouri regularly bring on OPT candidates in technical, policy, and research roles.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB SUMMARY
The Division of Legal Services (DLS) is seeking three Staff Attorneys for the Central Regional Litigation Unit. These positions will primarily support the 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th, and Howell County in the 37th Judicial Circuit.
Although these are the primary assignments, the Central Regional Litigation Unit provides representation for the Department across a larger region. The unit covers the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th, 37th (Howell County only), and 41st Judicial Circuits; attorneys may occasionally assist in these circuits as needed.
Job Posting Number: 4103 88P9058, 88P9115, 8869011
Job Location: The positions report to the Broadway State Office Building - 221 W. High St., Jefferson City, MO. All internal promotional applicants are encouraged to apply as there may be alternate office space available.
Annual Starting Salary Range: $74,974.80 - $90,189.58 (Commensurate with experience.) Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time-of-service pay).
Scheduled Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (with flexibility to accommodate professional goals and workload).
The Division of Legal Services (DLS) has opportunities for community-based legal practice with a focus on representation within a defined area to promote swift and safe resolution of juvenile court challenges experienced by children, and to facilitate working relationships with juvenile court partners, local law enforcement, services providers, and family support teams.
Why you’ll love this position: Are you passionate about public service? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of Missouri children and families by providing comprehensive legal counsel and support to the Department of Social Services (DSS), with a special focus on permanency including reunification with a parent, guardianship, termination of parental rights/adoption, and another planned permanent living arrangement? At DLS, you’ll enjoy collaborating as part of a diverse team of attorneys located in offices around the state. If you want to make a difference, apply today and join DLS in our mission to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives.
Responsibilities
In these trial attorney positions, you will manage a diverse caseload of varying issues and encounter meaningful opportunities to be an integral part of the community of juvenile court and child welfare attorneys in your area, including:
- represent and provide legal advice to DSS and its divisions;
- represent DSS in courts and administrative hearings in your assigned area;
- defend child abuse and neglect findings made by DSS;
- ensure the confidentiality of information maintained by DSS;
- work closely with DSS and its divisions and provide legal advice related to DSS services and cases.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A juris doctor from an accredited institution and membership in good standing with the Missouri Bar. Competent research and writing skills are required. Experience in litigation and a background in juvenile, family, and administrative law are preferred but not required.
Pursuant to State Law, this position requires accreditation, licensure, and/or professional license which is only available to holders of specific post-secondary degrees.
JOB DETAILS
The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.
CONTACT DETAILS
If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:
If you have questions about this position, please contact Josh DeLeeuw at Joshua.DeLeeuw@dss.mo.gov. If you experience accessibility issues while applying, please contact Courtney Hall at Courtney.A.Hall@dss.mo.gov or call 573-526-0416.
Application Deadline: September 22, 2026
The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.
JOB SUMMARY
The Division of Legal Services (DLS) is seeking three Staff Attorneys for the Central Regional Litigation Unit. These positions will primarily support the 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th, and Howell County in the 37th Judicial Circuit.
Although these are the primary assignments, the Central Regional Litigation Unit provides representation for the Department across a larger region. The unit covers the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th, 37th (Howell County only), and 41st Judicial Circuits; attorneys may occasionally assist in these circuits as needed.
Job Posting Number: 4103 88P9058, 88P9115, 8869011
Job Location: The positions report to the Broadway State Office Building - 221 W. High St., Jefferson City, MO. All internal promotional applicants are encouraged to apply as there may be alternate office space available.
Annual Starting Salary Range: $74,974.80 - $90,189.58 (Commensurate with experience.) Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time-of-service pay).
Scheduled Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (with flexibility to accommodate professional goals and workload).
The Division of Legal Services (DLS) has opportunities for community-based legal practice with a focus on representation within a defined area to promote swift and safe resolution of juvenile court challenges experienced by children, and to facilitate working relationships with juvenile court partners, local law enforcement, services providers, and family support teams.
Why you’ll love this position: Are you passionate about public service? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of Missouri children and families by providing comprehensive legal counsel and support to the Department of Social Services (DSS), with a special focus on permanency including reunification with a parent, guardianship, termination of parental rights/adoption, and another planned permanent living arrangement? At DLS, you’ll enjoy collaborating as part of a diverse team of attorneys located in offices around the state. If you want to make a difference, apply today and join DLS in our mission to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives.
Responsibilities
In these trial attorney positions, you will manage a diverse caseload of varying issues and encounter meaningful opportunities to be an integral part of the community of juvenile court and child welfare attorneys in your area, including:
- represent and provide legal advice to DSS and its divisions;
- represent DSS in courts and administrative hearings in your assigned area;
- defend child abuse and neglect findings made by DSS;
- ensure the confidentiality of information maintained by DSS;
- work closely with DSS and its divisions and provide legal advice related to DSS services and cases.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A juris doctor from an accredited institution and membership in good standing with the Missouri Bar. Competent research and writing skills are required. Experience in litigation and a background in juvenile, family, and administrative law are preferred but not required.
Pursuant to State Law, this position requires accreditation, licensure, and/or professional license which is only available to holders of specific post-secondary degrees.
JOB DETAILS
The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.
CONTACT DETAILS
If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:
If you have questions about this position, please contact Josh DeLeeuw at Joshua.DeLeeuw@dss.mo.gov. If you experience accessibility issues while applying, please contact Courtney Hall at Courtney.A.Hall@dss.mo.gov or call 573-526-0416.
Application Deadline: September 22, 2026
The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.
OPT Government Job Roles in Missouri
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Search Government Jobs in MissouriGovernment OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
Which government employers in Missouri sponsor F-1 OPT visas?
Federal agencies with Missouri offices, including the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration, hire F-1 OPT workers in technical and administrative roles. State-level employers such as the Missouri Department of Transportation and public research universities like the University of Missouri and Missouri S&T also bring on OPT candidates, particularly in engineering, data analysis, and public health.
Which cities in Missouri have the most government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Jefferson City holds the highest concentration of state government roles due to its status as the state capital. Kansas City and St. Louis offer broader opportunities through federal agency offices, public universities, and government contractors. Springfield and Columbia are secondary markets worth targeting, especially for OPT candidates in research, public health, and education-adjacent government positions tied to universities in those cities.
What types of government roles in Missouri typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align with a STEM-designated program of study are the most common fit, including positions in civil engineering, environmental science, data analytics, public health, and computer science within government agencies. Policy analyst, research associate, and GIS specialist roles at Missouri state departments and federal field offices also regularly fall within OPT-eligible parameters when they directly relate to the student's degree field.
How do I find government F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Missouri?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students searching for OPT-eligible positions and filters government jobs in Missouri by visa type, making it faster than manually vetting postings. Beyond the platform, targeting agencies with established international hiring records, such as federal research offices and public universities, improves your chances of finding roles where employers already understand OPT authorization requirements.
Are there any Missouri-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in government roles?
Security clearance requirements at some federal agencies can limit OPT eligibility, since clearances typically require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Missouri's large share of state government and public university roles, however, generally do not carry clearance requirements. OPT candidates should also confirm their role qualifies under their authorized field of study before accepting an offer, as government job titles can be broad and may not map clearly to a specific degree.